Birhor tribe likes large families

The primitive Birhor tribe doesn't want to suffer the fate of the Bo tribe in the Andamans which has become extinct after the death of its only surviving member recently and thinks large families are
the solution.

''Yes, we like large families,'' Koka Birhor, whose family is one of the 42 families at Chalkari, 55 KM from here, said when told about the death of a woman belonging to the Bo tribe who was the only member of the community alive.

The government also does not want to take any chance. The Dhanbad Health Department has opened a sub-primary health
centre at Chalkari to look after the tribals and make sure that a block chief medical officer regulary visit them.

''All facilities of government health plans are being provided,'' the additional chief medical officer, OP Arya, said.

Hardly any family in the Birhor community think of family planning which is considered a taboo.

''We don't feel the necessity of family planning. When God gives us children, He will also ensure food for them,'' said Bada Sukar Birhor, the president of the Gram Siskha Samiti and head of the community.

Shankar Mandal, a teacher of Chalkari Primary School, where the children of Birhors also study, said the more they proliferate the more it becomes helpful for the community.

But unlike many communities, which do not welcome the birth of a girl child, the Birhors love to have more girls in their midst.

''Who says a girl child is a burden?'' asked Koka Birhor, who has five daughters and three sons. ''Actually a girl child is a boon for the Birhors. Girls are more useful than boys,'' Koka said with a smile.

The president of the Gram Siskha Samiti said the government was providing all help for the welfare of his community.

The additional chief medical officer, OP Arya, said the growth of Birhors was far less in comparison to other tribes.

''They are a primitive tribe. We are trying hard to keep the 200 members of 42 Birhor families healthy and happy,'' he said.